Amnesty: Israel use of force against Palestinian protesters constitutes war crime News
© WikiMedia (Mary Madigan)
Amnesty: Israel use of force against Palestinian protesters constitutes war crime

Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] Philip Luther on Monday called [AI report] the use of force by Israeli military against protestors along the border of Gaza and Israel as “wilful killings constituting war crimes.”

There have been numerous reports of Palestinians being killed and injured as a result of the force used by Israeli military.

According to Luther, the events that have unfolded at the border are:

another horrific example of the Israeli military using excessive force and live ammunition in a totally deplorable way. This is a violation of international standards, in some instances committing what appear to be wilful killings constituting war crimes.

The use of force by Israeli military may violate international law, which proposes that use of firearms are only be used to protect against an imminent threat of death or serious injury.

Luther further asserted that the acts of violence against protesters are further evidence of Israeli authorities’ need to limit military action to protect civilians and the need for an arms embargo [AI report].

In April the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein similarly urged [JURIST report] the Israeli government to address its military’s use of excessive deadly force against Palestinian civilians

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